793.94/13342
Memorandum by Mr. John H. Spencer, of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs
Within the last three weeks Japanese aviation forces have extensively bombed wide areas in China both within and without the zones of hostilities. Bombings by Japanese airplanes have been reported in Honan, Hupeh, Kiangsu, Chekiang, Kiangsi and Kwangtung provinces, and among other cities, those of Canton, Chuki, Chumatien, Kanhsien, Kiehnow (five raids on May 30), Kwangchang, Nancheng, Nanhsiang, Ningpo, Pucheng, Siangyang, Haichow, Hwaian and Sutsien. With the exception of the last three mentioned places, these cities have not been in the zones of hostilities. It is impossible to estimate the number of individual raids in the period under reference. However, according to reports received by the Department, there have been no less than thirteen bombing raids on the city of Canton within the past thirteen days (three raids on May 28). Likewise, complete information is lacking as to the number of casualties among the civilian populations and as to the extent of damages.
In so far as American-owned properties are concerned, there have been reported six bombings of American missions within the period under reference. On May 19, the Free Methodist Mission at Cheng-chow was severely damaged by Japanese bombing. The Lutheran United Mission at Chumatien was bombed on May 21 resulting in extensive damages. The Southern Presbyterian Missions were bombed and severely damaged on May 24 and 28 at Haichow and on May 26 at Hwaian and Sutsien.
In the course of the bombings at Canton, which, with the exception of June 1 and 2, have taken place daily since May 27, thousands of non-combatants have been killed and wounded and much property destroyed and burned. It has been reported that during the raids on May 28 and 29 and June 4, over three thousand were killed and wounded.* According to British reports, during the raids on May 28, 29 and 30 less than one-third of the bombs were directed at airdromes and industrial plants and of the sixty or more sites bombed less than ten were of military importance. The attacks would appear to have been and to be directed chiefly against residential areas. In addition, the Lingnan University, which lies some distance out of the city and which is partly American owned and supported, has been bombed by Japanese air forces.
- British estimates for the casualties resulting from the raids on May 28 and 29 and June 3 and 4 place the number of killed and wounded at twenty-one hundred. [Footnote in the original.]↩